Education Leadership Programs

Western Carolina University provides two degree programs and a certificate program
designed to prepare students for jobs as leaders in education:

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

The Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership at WCU is a rigorous professional doctorate
focused on the needs of senior level educational leaders. With concentrations in
P-12 and Community College Leadership the program is designed for working adults.
Cohorts progress through the program in hybrid courses that meet one weekend each
month, reinforced and extended with regular online assignments and discussions.

Master of School Administration

The MSA is designed for working teachers and other education professionals who have
not received their master's degree and who want to seek principal licensure. Students
may go on to become principals or work in other K-12 leadership roles.

Post-Master's Certificate toward Principal Licensure (add-on)

For those who have already earned their master's degree and who are hoping to move
into a principal position at a K-12 school, the Post-Master's Certificate provides
an alternative pathway for preparing for principal licensure.

North Carolina School Executive Leadership Initiative

Both the MSA and the Post-Master's Certificate at WCU are offered as part of a collaborative
program in partnership with the Western Region Education Service Alliance (WRESA).
The unique design integrates three primary components:

The North Carolina Standards for School Executives

Research-based program experiences for developing quality school leaders

The leadership needs of regional school districts as identified by practicing superintendents

It is our goal to work collaboratively to provide excellent professional learning
opportunities that produce exceptional school leaders for North Carolina. Applications
for the Master's in School Administration and the Post-Master's Certificate programs
are accepted once per year.